Unusual Caricatures of Southern Aristocrats by Union Soldier on Letter to Parents

"…the woods was ful of ded rebs"

Complete Transcript

the rebel los i dont know but we got fifteen prisenrs and thay sed that the woods was ful of ded rebs the next morning our boys went & burnt a haus and took thre more gray Backs too miles [lour?] thay had a good sised fite but we dident go down thair we had enuf to tento whare we was i fond a gun and a lot of things after the frush

Sile is wel and sends his lov to you and ant han and lik wise Miley

mother, margert flint ses She has rote to leters to you and she hante had nerry ancer yet you must rite to her

i cant rite eney more now so good By Deer father and mother

from your son

Samuel Hyde

[Drawing:] suthern lady

[Drawing:] gentelman

Historical Background

Although eleven Samuel Hydes served in various Union regiments during the Civil War, this Samuel Hyde is likely a private in Company E of the 117th New York Volunteer Infantry, who enlisted at Rome, New York, or a private in Company G of the 146th New York Volunteer Infantry, who enlisted at Kirkland, New York.